Larry Lance Mr. Larry Dean Lance, age 59 of Talking Rock, Ga., passed away Saturday, February 20, 2010 at his home. He is survived by his children, Shane Lance, Talking Rock, Lisa Lance Morgan, Jasper, Jason Lance, Talking Rock, Jesse, Austin and Daniel Lance, all of Ellijay; uncle, Dennis Lance, Nelson; and aunt, Susie Densmore, Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Stella Lance; and sister, Shirley Davis. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday from the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with the Rev. David Herring officiating. Interment followed in the Keetor Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Roper Funeral Home.

Neil Free Mr. Neil Blanton Free, age 86 of Canton, Ga., died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. Mr. Free was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jasper and retired from Canton Textile Mills. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Floyd O?Bryant, Canton; sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Martha Free, Jasper, and Randy and Patsy Free, Union Point, Ga.; brothers, Max, Bill and Gene Free, all of Jasper, and Leon Free, Gainesville, Ga.; and sisters, Louise Chumley and Marcell Thacker, both of Jasper. Seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren also survive. The funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 from the Chapel of Darby Huey Funeral Home with the Revs. Buddy Roper and Johnny Purcell officiating. Interment followed in Cherokee Memorial Park. darbyfuneralhome.com

Charles Gentry Mr. Charles Kenneth Gentry, age 64 of Talking Rock, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Wilson Gentry; and mother, Iva Bannister. Survivors include his fiancee, Linda Cagle, Talking Rock; daughters and son-in-law, Gail and Victor Franco, Dallas, Tx., and Kathy Pacheco, Ball Ground; grandchildren, Marissa and Lucino Kenneth Pacheco and Jessica and Austin Franco; brother and sister-in-law, Marlon and Mary Gentry, Ball Ground; sister, Blondie Bannister, Ball Ground; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Doris and David Dean and John and Beck Wilson, all of Ball Ground, Betty and Tommie Dean, Canton, Dixie Byers and Darlene and Tommy Fountain, all of Jasper, and Eunice and Gary McCoy, Cartersville. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Rev. Gene Hyde officiating. Interment followed in Mica Baptist Church Cemetery in Cherokee County. Pallbearers were: Jason Gentry, John Wilson, Kenny and Ricky Dobson, Randall Howell and David Dean. Honorary pallbearers were: Austin Franco, Lucino Kenneth Pacheco and Glen Wesley. The family did accept flowers or you make donations to help with the funeral expenses. www.caglefuneralhome.com

Ollie Higgins Ollie Mae Higgins, age 87 of Canton, formerly of Dawsonville, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at Signature Healthcare of Buckhead following a period of declining health. Born April 24, 1922 to the late Bud and Mary Wright, she lived in Dawson County for seventy years. Along with her first husband, Jim Bruce, they owned and operated Bruce?s Store from 1940 until his death in 1970. She then married Cecil Higgins and until his death they were affectionately known as the couple who lived above the Pool Room. Surviving are her sisters Bessie Byess, Canton, and Edgell Howard, Jasper. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. Mrs. Higgins was cremated and no services are planned at this time. www.beardenfuneralhome. com

Elmer Evans Mr. Elmer ?Elmo? Samuel Evans, age 69 of Pickens County, passed away Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Lynn Evans; sisters and brothers, Melba Cain, Jess, Ansel (Hank), Gene and Marvin Evans; parents, Rev. Rufus and Gretell Evans; special love, Vanessa Akins. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Edward Samuel and Kelly Evans, Pickens County; grandchildren, Rebecca, Chelsea, Americus, Dustin and Austin; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dessie Westbrook, Dawsonville, Flonnie and Don Westbrook, Marietta, and Annelle and Jerry Self, Woodstock; brother and sister-in-law, J.L. and Jama Evans, Dawsonville; ex-wife, Linda Frady Evans, Jasper; and sisters-in-law, Alice and Doris Evans, both of Cumming, and Mildred Evans, Dawsonville. Several nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. The funeral service will be held Thursday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. from the Ingram Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Shannon Westbrook and Joe Frady officiating. Interment will follow in Concord Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends February 24 until 9 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. until the hour of service. www.ingramfuneralhome. com